Positioning structure for tubes of an umbrella shaft

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a positioning structure for tubes of an umbrella shaft, which uses a lateral connecting means connected with an upper tube of the shaft, which has particularly more than four tubes. When the upper tube is inserted into a second tube, the connecting means can connecting the upper tube with the second tube elastically.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] A shaft with multi-tubes of a foldable umbrella is provided with a V-shape elastic slice (1), as shown in FIG. 1, or a connector (2) in FIG. 2, received in a tube of the umbrella. It uses a convex (11) on the V-shape elastic slice (1) or a ball (21) to engaging with two nearby tubes of the umbrella shaft. When the umbrella shaft has more than four tubes, the upper tube is very small. So it is difficult to provide the V-shape elastic slice (1) or the ball (21) in the upper tube.

[0002] Accordingly, the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved positioning structure for tubes of the umbrella shaft, which is laterally provided for connecting with the upper tube in ease. Now the features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0003]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a V-shape elastic slice with a tube of a prior art umbrella shaft.

[0004]FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a connector with a tube of another prior art umbrella shaft.

[0005]FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an umbrella shaft having five tubes in an embodiment according the present invention.

[0006]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view indicated in FIG. 3.

[0007]FIG. 5 is an exploded view of FIG. 4.

[0008] FIGS. 6 to 8 are cross-sectional plan views of other embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Please refer to FIG. 1 firstly, the present invention relates to a positioning structure for tubes of an umbrella shaft (3), particularly to the umbrella shaft (3) having more than four tubes, wherein the upper tube (31) is improved. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, it shows an exemplary according to the present invention. The upper tube (31) has solid center. A lateral groove (311) is provided at lower portion of the upper tube (31) for receiving therein with a coil spring (22) and a ball (21). As the upper tube (31) is inserted into a second tube (32), the ball (21) can be engaged within an aperture (321) on the second tube (32) to obtain an elastic connection of both.

[0010]FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention, wherein the upper tube (31) is hollow. It can reach the same effect as aforesaid solid tube. FIG. 7 shows a positioning structure, which uses a connector (4) connected with the upper tube (31) laterally. The connector (4) has a central groove (41) for receiving therein with the coil spring (22) and the ball (21) to engage with the second tube (32). FIG. 8 is also another embodiment of this invention, which is provided with a sleeve (5) laterally connected with the upper tube (31). The coil spring (22) and two balls (21) are received therein for engaging with the second tube (32) in both sides firmly.

[0011] Accordingly, the present invention provides the improved positioning structure, which can be connected with the upper tube laterally. This overcomes the drawback of prior art, in which it is hard to connect the V-shape slice or connector within the inner hole of the upper tube of the umbrella shaft. Hence, it obviously achieves utility and improvement and should be allowed for patent. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A positioning structure for tubes of an umbrella shaft having more than four tubes, wherein the upper tube is provided with a laterally groove for receiving therein with a coil spring and a ball, and when the upper tube is inserted into a second tube, the ball being engaged with an aperture on the second to connecting both elastically.
 2. The positioning structure for tubes of an umbrella shaft as claimed in claim 1, wherein a connector being connected with the upper tube laterally, and the connector having a central groove for receiving therein with a coil spring and a ball for engaging with the second tube.
 3. The positioning structure for tubes of an umbrella shaft as claimed in claim 1, wherein a sleeve being connected with the upper tube laterally, and a coil spring and two balls being received therein for engaging with the second tube in both sides. 